Chair structure



Patented Jan. 22, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE.

CHARLES J. TRAVERS, OF PORT WASHINGTON, \VISCONSIN, ASSIG-NOR TO GILSON MAN- UFACTURING COMPANY, OF PORT WA$EIINGTON, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

CHAIR srnucrunn.

Application filed August 16, 1926. Serial No. 129,410;

This invention relates in general to improvements in the art of manufacturing articles of furniture, and relates more specifically to improvements in the construction and operation of chairs, and especially chairs of the revolving type.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved chair structure which is simple in construction and eflicient in operation. Another object of the invention is to pro vide a new and useful bearing for revolving chairs or similar devices. A further object of the invention is to provide means for eittectively lubricating revolving chair structures or the like. Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved antifriction bearing for various types of revolving chairs. These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

A clear conception of several embodiments of the invention and of the operation or" chair structures constructed in accordance" therewith, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the various views.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary part sectional view of one type of revolving tiltable chair embodying the improvement.

Fi g. 2 is a fragmentary part sectional view of the supporting structure of another type of revolving tiltable chair embodying the i nip rovement.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary part sectional view of the supporting structure of another re 'volving tiltable chair having the invention applied therein in still another form.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary part sectional view of a further modification of the invention.

Referring specifically to the embodimentof the invention illustrated in Fig. 1 the chair structure comprises in general a base.

2 of well known construction; a supporting member or socket 3 secured centrally within the base 2; a pivot member or sleeve l rotatably supported within the central bore of the socket 3; a carrier post 5 vertically ad justable within the bore of the rotary sleeve 4; a bracket or yoke 6 rigidly attached to the upper extremity of the post 5; a spreader 8 swingably associated with the yoke 6; spider arms 9 fastened to the spreader 8 and providing a direct support for the seat 10' and springs 11 for resisting the tilting move ment of the seat 10 about the horizontal pivot 12 fhe socket 3 may be fastened to the base 2 in any suitable manner, and has an outwardly projecting flange 16 at the upper extremity thereof. A latch 14: which is pivotally associated with the upperpor'tion of the sleeve 1, is adapted to engage the 'flange 16 as shown, in order to prevent displacement of the sleeve l longitudinally within the socket 3, the latch 14 being normally retained in looking position by means of a spring 15. The lower extremity of the sleeve 4: may be provided with a bearing point 17 cooperating with the bowl or dish 18 of the socket 3 at the axis of rotation'ot the chair and the socket 3 may be filled with grease or oil to provide abundant lubrication for the pivot bearings afforded by the point 17 and the cooperatingsurfaces of the socket 3 and of the sleeve 4. The upper portion of the sleeve 4 is also provided with a for- ;vardly projecting arm forming a support tor the adJusting screw 7 which is rotatable upon the sleeve 4 by means of a hand wheel 13 and which has screw thread coa'ction with the yoke 6. l'lotation of the screw 7 produces vertical adjustment of the post 5 within the sleeve 4, and the screw 7 cooperates with the yoke 6 to prevent rotation of the post 5 within the sleeve 4.

Referring specifically to the embodin'ient of the invention illustrated in Fig. 2. the chair structure comprises generally a base 20 ordinary construction; a sup 'iorting inen'ibcr or socket 21 secured centrallywithin the base 20; a pivot member or post 32 rotatably supported directly within the central bore of the socket 21; an upper adjustable carrier'bracket 24: slidably associated with the post 82; and a seat, not shown, tiltably associated with the pivot holes 27. of the bracket 24 in awell known manner. The socket 21 may be secured to the base 20 in any suitable manner, and as shown, has an upper outwardly extending flange which rests upon the top plate22 of the base 20. The lower extremity of the post 32 is provided with a bearing point 29 cooperating with the bowl or dish 19 of the socket 21 at the axis of rotation of the post 32. As in the embodiment of Fig. 1, the socket 21 may be filled with grease or oil to provide lubrication for the pivot bearings afforded by the I point 29 and the cooperating surfaces of the socket 21 and of the post 32. A lower bracket .3 is secured to the post 32 above the socket 21 by means of a pin 28 and provides a support for an adjusting screw 25. The adjusting screw 25 has screw thread coaction with the bracket 24 and is rotatable by means of a hand wheel 26 in order to slide the bracket 24 vertically along the post in addition toproviding means for elfecting vertical, adjustment of the bracket 524, the ad usting screw 25 serves toprevent rotation of the bracket 24 about the post 32. f desired, suitable means for preventing longitudinal displacement of the post 32 within the socket 21, may be provided, and such means may assume the form of a locking plate secured to the chair base 20 and extending laterally into a recess in the post 32.

Referring specifically to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fi 3, the chair structure comprises in general a base 30 of well known construction; a supporting member '31 secured centrally beneath a central bore in the base 30 a pivot member or post rotatably supported directly within the central bore of the base 30 and within the supporting member 31; an upper adjustable carrier bracket35 slidably associated. with the post 33; and seat, not shown, tiltably associated with the pivot holes 37 of the bracket 35 in a well known manner. The supporting member 31 may be attached to the base 30 by means of screws or otherwise, and has a bowl or disk 44 cooperating with a bearing pivot 43 at the lower extremity of the post 33 at the axis of rotation of the post. As in the embodiments previously described, the dish 44 may be filled with grease or oil to provide lubrication for the point hearing. The post 33 may be provided with a recess 41 adjacent to the top plate 42 of the base 30, anda locking plate 40 secured to the base 30 may be caused to extend laterally into the recess 41 in order to prevent longitudinal displacement of the post 33 within the base 30. A lower bracket 34 may be attached to the post 33 above the locking plate 40, by means of a pin 39, and the bracket 34 providesa support for an adjusting screw 36. The adjustingscrew 36 h as screw threaded coaction with the bracket 35 and is rotatable by means of a hand wheel 33.

Rotation of the hand wheel 38 will cause the bracket 35 to slide vertically along the post 33, and the adjusting screw 36 serves to prevent rotation of the bracket 35 about the post 33.

In the embodiment of the invention specifically illustrated in Fig. 4, the pivot member or post 47 coacts directly with a central bore in the base 45, and has a plane lower end surface 48 coacting with a bearing point 49 formed on the supporting member 46. The supporting member 46 may be attached to the base 45 beneath the centralbore therein, in any suitable manner, and is preferably dished as shown in order to retain lubricant for the pivot point or bearing afforded by the point 49.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent, that in each of the several embodiments of the invention illustrated, the supporting and pivot members cooperate to provide substantially a point bearing at the axis of revolution of the pivot member. The supporting membersor sockets besides, providing extremely simple and highly efficient antifriction pivot bearings, serve as effective lubricant retainers which when once supplied with lubricant will confine the same for a long period of time. By thus effectively lubricating the pivot bearing, objectionable squeaking is entirely eliminated and the seat may be readily revolved with minimum eifort irre spective of the pressure to which it may be subjected. The bearing points and the cooperating surfaces may obviou slybe hardened if desired, in order to more. effectively resist the wear, and the bearing projection may be formed either in the supporting nemher or socket, or on the pivot member. i

Nith the structure disclosed in Fig. 1, the latch 14 automatically locks the elements in assembled position, and these elements may be quickly dismantled by compressing the spring 15to withdraw the latch 14 from the flange 16. The locking device of Fig. 1 may likewise be appliedto the embodiments of Figs. 2, 3 and 4, or the modified locking plate 40 of Fig. 3 may be applied to; the other enibodiments in an obvious manner. While the invention has been specifically applied to tiltable revolving chairs, its general application to other types of revolving chairs will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It should be understood that it is not desired to limit theinvention to the exact details of construction and operation herein shown and described, for various modifications within the scope of the claii'ns may occur to persons skilledin the art. 7

It is claimed, and desired to secure by Letters Patent i 1. In a chair, a base, a single tubular supporting member rigidly attached to said base, said member having a verticalbore and a closed. lower end forming lubricant receptacle, sleevemember having a tapered lower end forming a pivot point coacting'with the central portion of the lower end closure of. said tubular member whereby the weight of said sleeve member and of the elements carriedthereby is supported solely at apoint within at the bottom of said receptacle, and one of said members having vertically spaced annular lateral projections coacting with the other member at said bore to prevent relative lateral displacement of-said members, and a seat associated with said. sleeve member.

Cir

2. In a chair, a base, a single tubular supporting member rigidly attached to said base, said member having a vertical bore and a closed lower end forming a lubricant receptacle, a sleeve member having a tapered lower end forming a pivot point coacting with the central portion of the lower end closure of said supporting member whereby the weight of said sleeve member and of the elements carried thereby is supported solely at a point within and at the bottom of said receptacle, and said sleeve member also having vertically spaced annular lateral projections coacting with said supporting member at said bore to prevent relative lateral displacement of said members, and a seat associated with said sleeve member.

3. In a chair, a base, a single tubular supporting member having vertically spaced annular external projections clamped laterally Within said base, said member having a vertical bore and a closed lower end forming a lubricant receptacle, a sleeve member hav ing a tapered lower end forming a pivot point coacting with the centralportion of the lower end closure of said supporting member where by the weight of said sleeve member and of the elements carried thereby is supported solely at a point within and at the bottom of said receptacle, and said sleeve member also having vertically spaced annular lateral projections coacting with said supporting member at said bore to prevent relative lateral displacement of said members, and a seat associated with said sleeve member.

4. In a chair, a base, a tubular supporting member rigidly attached to said base, said member having a vertical bore and a closed lower end forming a lubricant receptacle, a rotary member having a tapered lower end forming a pivot point coacting with the oentral portion of the lower end closure of said tubular member whereby the weight of said rotary member and of the elements carried thereby is supported solely at a point Within and at the bottom of said receptacle, and one of said members having vertically spaced annular bearing portions ooacting with the other member at said bore to prevent relative lateral displacement of said members, and a seat associated with said rotary member.

In testimony whereof, the signature of the inventor is aliixed hereto.

CHARLES J. TRAVERS. 

